Cowboys cut Spears loose

Defensive end's production fell in recent years.

By Tom Orsborn :
March 13, 2013
: Updated: March 14, 2013 12:36am

The Cowboys released popular defensive end Marcus Spears on Wednesday. He started 89 games for Dallas after being selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft.

Photo By Brandon Wade/Associated Press

New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) scores a touchdown as Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears (96) looks on during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Photo By Jerry Lara/Express-News

Dallas Cowboys' defensive tackle Marcus Spears, (96), celebrates after sacking Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, left, during the second half at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. The Cowboys won 27-24 in overtime. To the right of Spears is defensive tackle Jason Hatcher.

Photo By Vernon Bryant/McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears (96) celebrate as they make their way off the field after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime, 27-24, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, December 16, 2012. (Vernon Bryant/Dallas Morning News/MCT)

Photo By Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Lawrence Vickers #47 and Marcus Spears #96 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 9, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dallas won 20-19.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears (98) takes down Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back LeGarrette Blount (27) during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

Photo By EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

FOR SPORTS - Dallas Cowboys' Bradie James (left) and teammate Dallas Cowboys' Marcus Spears leave the field after the game with the Detroit Lions Sunday Oct. 2, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX. The Lions won 34-30. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net)

Photo By KIN MAN HUI/--

Defensive end Kenyon Coleman (left) works on drills with teammate Marcus Spears (96) during the evening session of the Dallas Cowboys training camp at the Alamodome on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net

Photo By KIN MAN HUI/:

Defensive end Marcus Spears prepares to run sprints during the morning session of the Dallas Cowboys training camp at the Alamodome on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net

Defensive end Marcus Spears (96) and linebacker Bradie James (56) watch practice from the sidelines on the last day of the Cowboys Training Camp at the Alamodome on Wednesday, August 19, 2009. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net

Spears, 30, was scheduled to make $2 million in 2013 and count $2.7 against the salary cap, but the savings won't go into effect until after June 1. That means the Cowboys are still barely below the salary cap and unlikely to make any moves early in free agency, which began Tuesday.

A first-round pick along with DeMarcus Ware in 2005, Spears was a run-stuffing fixture on the defensive line in the 3-4 scheme instituted by Bill Parcells that same year. But soon after signing a five-year, $19.5 million contract in 2011, Spears' playing time dipped in part because of injury problems.

With the Cowboys switching to a 4-3 scheme with the hiring of Monte Kiffin in January as defensive coordinator, Spears' value diminished even further.

“Fans of Dallas thank u all so much for 8 years the good and bad times ill be moving on!!” Spears wrote on Twitter. “The support has been tremendous! From my family thx U.”

Known as a pro's pro who always had a positive attitude even in the worst of times, Spears entertained his teammates and the media with his rapping, hunting and fishing tales and memories of growing up in Louisiana.

Spears started 89 games for Dallas, recording 10 sacks, 50 quarterback pressures and 19 tackles for loss. In 2012, he managed 35 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and three pressures.

The Cowboys could soon part ways with two other first-round picks from last decade: running back Felix Jones and cornerback Mike Jenkins, both selected in 2008.

In keeping with the upbeat demeanor he displayed during his days in Dallas, Spears had one final message to fans in his second post on Twitter after news of his release became public.

“Guys don't be sad for me please!” he wrote. “I've been blessed beyond measure! Everything you do in life is for a season except for family!”